Rianda House Senior Activity Center is committed to providing UpValley seniors with programs that stimulate minds, strengthen bodies and promote independent living through education, recreation and social involvement.

Farewell to Annual Holiday Plant Sale

With great regret, the staff, Board and friends of Rianda House must announce that our annual Holiday Plant Sale fundraiser will not be offered this year, as our supplier and friends, Sandy and Bob Herrick of Cottage Gardens Nursery in Rutherford, have retired and closed their wonderful local business. We wish them all the best for the retirement of their dreams, as this generous couple has provided beautiful and lush poinsettia, cyclamen and amaryllis plants bringing holiday cheer to area homes and businesses during the past 17 years.

We salute Rianda House’s Founding Board member Kathy Carrick and the Friends of Rianda House team who worked tireless as they conducted the annual Holiday Plant Sale for three years. We were graciously passed this holiday plant fundraiser by the Women’s Opportunity Fund team led so ably for 14 years by Lois Swanson, Anita and David Cummings and Margot Ainsworth.

Countless homes, wineries and local businesses looked forward to their December deliveries that always added just the right splash of red, green and white to entryways and tabletops, or served as lovely, long-lasting holiday gifts for appreciative recipients. The special touch that came with each plant was made by the legions of volunteers “elves” that delivered these gorgeous plants, bringing extra joy to every doorstep. Our heartfelt thanks to all who made our holidays bloom and blossom!

Julie SpencerExecutive Director Rianda House Senior Activity Center

If you are looking for a new holiday plant resource, try one of these local vendors: Central Valley: Ali White, Garden Center Manager (707)286-1487 Centerpiece Napa Valley: (707)-963-5700 St. Helena Florist: (707)-963-4048 Tesoro: (707)939-6931

The Evolution of a Dream

It was the dream of Gunilda “Jean” Rianda that her home would provide a gathering place for the seniors of the Upper Napa Valley. As a nurse for the first 25 years of her professional life and a St. Helena Real Estate agent for the next 20 years, Jean understood the needs of seniors in the community. Her strong belief that social interaction is a crucial component of a healthy, fulfilled life prompted her decision to offer her home to the growing population of seniors in the upper Napa Valley.

After an extensive remodel of Jean’s house, Rianda House Senior Activity Center opened its doors to the community on May 15, 2008.